Providing for the expulsion of Representative Eric Swalwell from the United States House of Representatives.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 1166
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Congress
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-13: Referred to the House Committee on Ethics.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-22T13:05:02Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H. Res. 1166
Purpose
This House resolution seeks to expel Representative Eric Swalwell from the U.S. House of Representatives due to alleged misconduct involving a sexual relationship with a subordinate congressional staffer, including an incident where the staffer was reportedly too intoxicated to consent.
Key Provisions
- Expulsion clause: Directs the expulsion of Representative Eric Swalwell pursuant to Article I, Section 5, Clause 2 of the U.S. Constitution, which grants each chamber of Congress the power to expel its own members.
- Supporting findings (in "Whereas" clauses):
- Public allegations from a former staffer of a sexual relationship with Swalwell.
- Specific claim of sexual activity with the staffer while intoxicated and unable to consent; this matter is under investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.
- Swalwell's suspension of his California gubernatorial campaign and his public acknowledgment of "mistakes in judgment."
- Violation of House Rule XXIII (Code of Official Conduct), requiring members to behave in a manner that reflects creditably on the House.
- Assertion that Swalwell's actions exploit his authority over staff, bring discredit to the House, and render him unfit to serve.
The resolution was introduced on April 13, 2026, by Representative Luna and referred to the House Committee on Ethics.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- None. This is a resolution for internal House disciplinary action, not an amendment to statutes, rules, or the Constitution. It invokes existing constitutional authority and House rules without altering them.
Potential Impacts
- On Representative Swalwell: Immediate removal from office if passed, ending his current term and barring him from the House (though he could run for re-election).
- On the House and constituents: Could trigger a vacancy in California's 14th Congressional District, potentially leading to a special election; sets a precedent for addressing member misconduct.
- On government agencies: Minimal direct impact, though it references an ongoing local prosecution by the Manhattan District Attorney.
- No notable effects on citizens broadly or international relations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Representative Eric Swalwell: Primary target of expulsion.
- House of Representatives: Institution responsible for voting on the resolution (requires two-thirds majority for expulsion).
- House Committee on Ethics: Receives the resolution for initial review.
- Constituents in California's 14th District: Affected by potential vacancy.
- Former congressional staffer: Source of allegations, with related criminal investigation.
- Broader Congress: Impacts public trust in the institution's self-policing.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Constitutional basis: Relies on Article I, Section 5, Clause 2, affirming Congress's authority to discipline members (expulsion historically rare, used ~20 times, mostly for treason or corruption).
- Legal interplay: Acknowledges parallel criminal investigation but focuses on House conduct rules; expulsion is a political process, not a criminal conviction.
- Precedent and standards: Highlights House Rule XXIII's broad "conduct reflecting creditably" standard, potentially guiding future ethics cases involving personal misconduct or power imbalances.
- Political context: As an introduced resolution, passage depends on House vote dynamics; underscores tensions in congressional accountability.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Luna, Anna Paulina [R-FL-13]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-13: Referred to the House Committee on Ethics.
- 2026-04-13: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Providing for the expulsion of Representative Eric Swalwell from the United States House of Representatives. — issued 2026-04-13 — PDF (3 pages)